The singer’s latest album is strikingly honest lyrically, sung wonderfully soulfully from start to finish.
Jessie J is certainly an artist who prefers to bear all emotionally than to hide behind mysteriously thought up lyrics that don’t hold powerful meaning. On her new album this has to be one of her rawest and frankest emotionally to date.
There are so many standout tracks that focus on grief and loss (‘I’ll Never Know Why’ and ‘If I Save You’ for example, but there is still a powerful feeling of hope ensures that it is a fully rounded album emotionally. It does take you on a rollercoaster of a journey from start to finish and there is a real depth and sensitivity to every song that she has included, leaving the listener feeling that it must have been really cathartic for her to write and record.
While songs such as ‘Comes in Waves’ and ‘No Secrets’ highlights a lot of pain in the wake of a personal loss, the lyrics as on all of the songs are filled with a striking honesty that never fail to pack a punch. The tone of the album as a whole is really set by ‘Feel it on Me’ that musically is sensitive, showcasing just how vulnerable that Jessie J is willing to make herself on this record.
This isn’t to say that there isn’t still flashes of defiance and resilience on display as well. The joyous and dance infused ‘Living My Best Life’ and ‘I Don’t Care’ (which celebrates walking away from toxic relationships) showcase the spirit and strength that the singer has displayed on so many occasions.
The album has also been extremely well structured as well to ensure that the listener can actually feel the progression of the songs and the journey of self-discovery which Jessie J has been on over the last few difficult years for her. While overall the record is personal to her, there is plenty that listeners can take away and adapt to their own situations – just pay attention to the lyrics of ‘Sonflower’ on which she pays tribute to someone who played an important part in who she has become today.
While perhaps the main focus of the album is feelings of grief and hope, there is also a sense of how it is also about pushing forward with life in spite of the grief – which is captured beautifully On ‘Believe in Magic/ Joy’ about treasuring the little moments of positivity that can be found in life.
There are so many highlights to be found across the album, but for me the true highlights are the heartbreaking ‘I’ll Never Know Why’ which just packed a powerful punch for me emotionally – I certainly had a connection to this song as I did when I listened to the edgy and charismatic ‘Threw it All Away’ that was a true stand out track on the album. Elsewhere, ‘If I Save You ‘ on which themes of mental health are explored encourages us all to reach out to those who are struggling.
Overall, Don’t Tease Me With a Good Time is an extraordinary album and is a wonderful achievement from Jessie J.
By Emma Clarendon
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Don’t Tease Me With a Good Time is available to buy now.